In Galatians 6:2, we are told to “Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.” But what exactly does that mean, and what happens if we do not do it well? In counseling, we talk about compassion fatigue, which is defined as “a profound physical, emotional, and spiritual exhaustion caused by repeated exposure to the trauma and suffering of others.” Unfortunately, this is very common among pastors and those who care for others. As counselors, we listen to the experiences of their trauma and life stories, which can affect us as a secondary trauma. When we are exposed to someone else’s traumatic experiences, we can experience them as our own.

When we bear each other’s burdens, we are called to share the weight of the experiences others are going through so that they are not suffering alone. We are also practicing a great love for each other that demonstrates our love for others as Christ loved us, and we help them find a way to overcome the tremendous weight of their thoughts and emotions. This can be seen in having intrusive thoughts or emotions that take up a great deal of space in their lives. The challenge for all of us is to walk into their world and be there for them but not stay there or bring their world into ours, where we feel so much compassion for them, we get lost in our own thoughts.

So how can we avoid this problem as we help care for others?

• Setting firm boundaries is the first step, where we do not emotionally overextend ourselves while being there for the people who need our help. However, we cannot bring their trauma home with us. This can be sitting in prayer for a moment after we talk with them, deep breathing, and defining your role as you work with others. You are called to help shoulder the weight, not take it from them.
• Working to prioritize our own physical, emotional, and spiritual health. This can include getting enough sleep, eating well, and good self-care routines like hobbies, creating daily rituals, meditation, journaling, or going outside for a walk or hike.
• Talking to others in your church or ministry can be a powerful tool where others can help you from a position of common ground or someone who can pray with you for the person you are helping and your own challenges. Compassion is a beautiful thing that needs to be shared.
• You can also reach out to a therapist who can help you process what you are going through from an outside but non-judgmental perspective.
• Lastly, and most importantly, do not try to do things under your own power. We serve a God who is there for us and wants to share our burdens as much as He wants us to share the burdens of others. Many times, when we feel overwhelmed, we try to do things under our own strength and forget the power that drives and sustains us. Remember to seek Him first.

At Shepherd’s Heart Ministry, we are familiar with ministry burnout and compassion fatigue. We can help!